Me, That’s Who.

Apparently, anyway.

I’m talking, of course, about the infamous “woo-woo”, a phrase used to mean spooky, spiritualist, crystal-laden irrational beliefs not based in science or reality. It’s generally used in a dismissive or self-conscious way, and I associate it with the spiritualist fraud séances of yester-year – you know, sheet covered ghosts that say woooo, WOOOOO!

“Woo” came up recently on Twitter, where the lovely Bridget Pilloud and Abby Kerr were discussing why we view it in a derogatory way, and if it can be rebranded, so to speak. They got me thinking (as both of them often do) and I realized I’ve been shying away from spiritual topics here on The Circus.

And you just can’t seem to get past the blogging doldrums because you really, REALLY want to save your writing and illustrating energy for your Upcoming Project? The project you’re actually getting somewhere on, and have a hope of releasing sometime this decade? Yes, THAT one! The AWESOME project that you can nearly see the end of?

What do you do?

For the rest of this week?

You get to eavesdrop on my process as I try to kick-start my brain and my projects back into gear. The new year is off to a rough start, and I need a bit of help finding that centered serene stuff that I ramble on about from time to time.

So yesterday, I made a few decisions about projects and priorities, and you, lucky readers, get to witness the results. So here goes:

A few days ago…

I isolated myself from the world by not-quite-publicly declaring that I wouldn’t have a New Years Resolution, Theme, Word or Intent for 2011. Now, I’d like to rejoin the rest of you, please, by retracting that non-declaration. Because suddenly, I have a theme.

That theme comes to you courtesy of Hugh MacLeod – yes, the remarkable business card cartoonist artist author dude at GapingVoid. Please go visit him and buy something, because for my theme of 2011, I’m co-opting the title of his book, “Ignore Everybody”.

But I’m changing the punctuation, so that I can pretend it’s original.

Watch:

Ignore. Everybody.

See? The punctuation and italics make it totally different from Hugh’s book, right? Right?

(Did I mention Hugh is here in Texas? It’s amazing how many cool people are here in Texas, since we’re the brunt of so many insults. I think it’s just jealousy of our backwards ways. And the guns. Hopefully Hugh won’t use those guns to track me down and exact his revenge, which is why I think you should go buy something and tell him I sent you. So he won’t shoot me or something.)

Anyway.

I’ve thought a lot about limits over the years.

Just lately, I’ve been focused on how limits apply to creative self-employment: financial, psychological, physical, time and energy and focus limits. Limits to push and test, limits best kept surrounded by a “no-fly zone”, limits that keep me from being overwhelmed, limits that, themselves, overwhelm me.

I’ve thought about it so much that there’s a map etched into my skull, revealing estimated locations of limits along with potential bypasses, all clearly marked out with a radioactive green sharpie

It’s pretty cool. Looks a bit like one of those old-fashioned pirate maps, complete with X marks the spot and dire warnings about being eaten by giant squid.

And while I have yet to encounter any actual giant squid in my life, I have spent a lot of time with what folks these days call “Monsters” – personifications of personal defenses and coping mechanisms that I can talk to, bargain with, and sometimes bribe.

Limits and Monsters have a lot to do with each other.

Seriously. It’s like an awesomely cool little mini top hat with vintage veil and flowers. And now? I can personally, definitively say that hats from Chapeaux By Simone are exceptionally well put together. Sweet.

It’s tough to photograph because it’s all black, sits at creative angles and… well.. it’s on MY head, which complicates matters immensely. Most of the photos made me look like a drunk walrus – which, while I’m sure pleasing to a male walrus? Was not really a good look for me.